History was made in the 2016 Rio Olympics track and field competition on Monday, including dramatic finishes in the women’s 400 meters and men’s pole vault.
Poor weather conditions couldn’t halt another thrilling day of track and field from the 2016 Rio Olympics, as five more gold medals were handed out on Monday.
The premier event of the night was the finals of the women’s 400 meters, which also produced the most exciting finish on the track so far. Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas started off fast and held off a comeback bid from four-time gold medalist Allyson Felix in the final stretch to win gold by .07.
Felix looked to have run down Miller at the end, but the Bahamian dove across the finish line to provide the margin of victory. Shericka Jackson of Jamaica took the bronze after also finishing third in last year’s world championships.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Felix still became the most decorated woman in American track and field history with seven medals.
The finals of the men’s pole vault also brought plenty of drama, with three athletes advancing past 5.85 meters. World record holder and defending Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie of France easily cleared 5.93 meters in his first attempt, with Brazil’s Thiago Braz da Silva later joining him to match a personal best.
Lavillenie had no trouble at 5.98 meters to set an Olympic record and take over gold medal position. Braz da Silva decided to move the bar to 6.03 meters and cleared on his final attempt, a mark Lavillenie could not match in a shocking result. American Sam Kendricks took bronze after clearing 5.85 meters.
Defending champion David Rudisha of Kenya became the first athlete in 52 years to win consecutive Olympic titles in the 800 meters in a time of 1:42.15. Teammate Alfred Kipketer ran the first 400 in under 50 seconds but predictably fell off, as Rudisha cruised to victory down the back stretch.
London 1500 gold medalist Taoufik Makhloufi added a silver, finishing half a second back of Rudisha. Team USA picked up a surprise medal in the event with Clayton Murphy taking third.
Another world record fell in Rio, as Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk broke her own mark with a toss of 82.29 meters to take home gold in the finals of the women’s hammer throw after winning silver in London. China’s Zhang Wenxiu finished in silver medal position ahead of Sophie Hitchon of Great Britain in third.
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Emma Coburn became the first American ever to medal in the 3000 meter steeplechase, finishing in third with a time of 9;07.63. Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet dominated the field at just 19 years of age with a time of 8:59.79, while Kenya’s Hyvin Jepkemoi narrowly beat Coburn for silver.
Team USA’s success in the event continued on the men’s side, as Donald Cabral finished with the third best time of the first round. Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto had the best time of the heats at 8:21.40.
The morning started with the qualification round of the men’s triple jump, where medal favorites Christian Taylor and Will Claye advanced with two of the top preliminary marks. Beijing silver medalist Kerron Clement and Bryon Robinson of Team USA had no trouble in the first round of the men’s 400 meter hurdles.
Tori Bowie started her quest for a second medal in Rio with the third fastest time in the first round of the women’s 200 meter. Dejah Stevens also advanced for Team USA, but both finished behind the mark of 22.31 seconds posted by the Ivory Coasts’ Marie-Josee Ta Lou.
Jamaica’s Omar McLeod fought through the heavy rain to post the fastest time in the first round of the men’s 110 meter hurdles. Team USA’s Ronnie Ash, Devon Allen and Jeff Porter were also able to move on to the semifinals. The first heat of the event was run in very poor conditions and later replayed after the conclusion of the other events, with Jamaica’s Deuce Carter advancing in his second attempt .
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The weather caused plenty of problems in the qualification round of the women’s discus , as the athletes struggled to keep their throws in bounds. Defending champion Sandra Perkovic had the third highest score of qualifying after committing faults on her first two throws.
Jamaica continued its strong effort for the day in the first round of the 400 meter hurdles, as Ristananna Tracey had the fastest time. All three Americans advanced to the semifinals, and Ashley Spencer finished right behind Tracey with a time of 55.12 seconds.